Meanwhile, on the other side of Xandar, a spaceship touched down at the helipad of the elite hotel.
The arrival of this spaceship caught the attention of some guests at the hotel, as the cost of a spacecraft can range from several hundred thousand to tens of millions, depending on the model, featuring advanced technology and formidable firepower.
Only billionaires or exceptionally powerful individuals could afford to pilot a spaceship valued at fifty million.
Curious whispers spread among the onlookers, who rushed to the landing site to see who had arrived.
When they saw Sonia descend from the ship, clad in a flowing white dress and a sun hat that made her seem almost radiant, their eyes widened in surprise.
Sonia's reputation for signing on behalf of the wealthy had circulated widely within the hotel. Typically, those who assisted the affluent would return to the hotel for an extended stay—often ten days to several weeks.
Previously, Sonia had mentioned she was doing well, but she hadn't returned to the hotel since then.
While rumors suggested she was quite independent, the fact that no one had seen her return for a lengthy visit led to skepticism.
After all, it wasn't just men who cared about appearances; women often compared themselves to one another. No one wanted their colleagues or friends to know they were struggling.
Many would even go to great lengths to maintain their pride, pretending to live lavishly.
However, no one expected that after nearly two years away, Sonia would return piloting a fifty-million-dollar spacecraft.
Moreover, she looked even more beautiful than before, leaving everyone feeling a mix of emotions.
"Are there so many perks to signing for others?" one woman remarked.
"It makes me want to give it a shot too!" another added.
"While there are some who benefit, many others fail; it's best to be cautious," another cautioned.
The hotel's villa managers, who were all young and attractive, exchanged glances, questioning their previous information.
Sonia gracefully walked into the hotel lobby.
"Lalatina, I'm looking for Sara. Is she available?"
As she approached the front desk, she smiled warmly.
Thinking of potential candidates, Sonia immediately thought of her junior, Sara. Although Sara wasn't as serious-minded as Sonia, her strict nature had instilled a habit of seeking knowledge whenever she encountered something she didn't understand.
"It's been a while, Sonia-senpai!" Lalatina said, recognizing her. "Sara is currently napping."
Checking Sara's status, Lalatina confirmed she was indeed asleep.
Villa managers at the elite hotel often had irregular sleeping schedules, and many were napping even at this hour.
"Does she have any guests scheduled?" Sonia inquired, knowing how the hotel operated.
"No, she finished attending to guests yesterday afternoon and has been resting since," Lalatina replied after checking the records.
"Then please reserve a room for her—let's say for a month."
Sonia explained that she wasn't seeking to enjoy a stay at the elite hotel, even though she had the means.
She didn't have the luxury of time to lounge around; many tasks were awaiting her on Void Island.
Her primary reason for reserving Sara was to have a conversation and evaluate her suitability for Kassadin's requirements.
"Of course," Lalatina agreed, understanding Sonia's intentions.
"Please have Sara come see me."
After paying, Sonia headed straight up to room 9999 without making Sara wait.
"Did Sonia pull that off?"
"Could it be an act?"
"Renting a spaceship like that not only requires a five million deposit but also costs fifty thousand a day. It's not that easy to fake."
"If she rented it for a month, that's twenty million—enough to buy a decent spaceship without all these expenses."
The other women in the lobby whispered among themselves as they watched Sonia ascend the stairs.
"Seeing her like this makes me want to consider that signing job," one confessed.
"I'm starting to think the same! If it works out, it could change everything for us."
These women earned between three hundred to four hundred thousand a year, including bonuses, and most made under five hundred thousand in total.
Though they didn't have to please men directly, they had to put on a friendly face, often being at someone else's beck and call.
Despite earning money, the job came with many rules and wasn't easy at all.
"I advise you to dismiss those thoughts."
"Over the years, countless men have tried to invite Sonia to sign for them or even to keep her company."
"In the end, those who got to help Kassadin didn't just have good taste; they were lucky to meet someone of his stature."
Lalatina, noting the jealousy and admiration of her peers, spoke pragmatically.
Every woman dreamed of a quick rise to wealth, being free from worry and indulging in travel and luxuries.
But finding such opportunities was rare.
Most who signed on for a fleeting chance ended up either in debt or behind bars.
Given Kassadin's wealth and influence, Sonia enjoyed a comfortable life, provided she didn't commit any grave sins that would provoke public outrage.
New Star Corps officers would likely overlook a lot, but lesser-known billionaires without the same power would not fare as well.
If they were caught breaking the law, the officers would have many ways to make their lives difficult.
Even if they didn't seize all their assets, they'd still inflict substantial financial damage. The blame would fall on the one who signed for them.
This pattern explained why many predecessors from the elite hotel had faced unfortunate outcomes later in life.
After experiencing opulence, adjusting back to a modest lifestyle became increasingly difficult.
Even if previous earnings weren't insignificant, they paled in comparison to the lavish lifestyle they once led, leading many to seek shortcuts or illegal means.
The allure of fantasy was beautiful, but the harsh reality often brought painful truths.